Reducing levels of nerve-growth factor may be a key to developing better pain treatments. Arthritis is a debilitating disorder affecting one in 10 Canadians, with pain caused by inflammation and damage to joints. Yet the condition is poorly managed in most patients, since adequate treatments are lacking – and the therapies that do exist toContinue reading “Nervous system and nerve-growth factor (NGF) play a major role in arthritis”
Category Archives: brain
Serotonin Deficiency Implicated in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ra symptoms and pathology worse in mice missing enzyme needed for serotonin synthesis, according to report in the American Journal of Pathology. For the first time, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has been directly implicated in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although 5-HT is predominantly known as a neurotransmitter within the central nervous system, new evidenceContinue reading “Serotonin Deficiency Implicated in Rheumatoid Arthritis”
Loss of REM Sleep Linked to Desire For Fatty and Sugary Foods
Summary: A lack of REM sleep may lead to an increased desire to consume unhealthy foods, a new study reports. Source: University of Tsukuba. It is not well understood what role sleep loss plays in affecting areas of the brain that control the desire to consume unhealthy foods. A new paper published on December 6Continue reading “Loss of REM Sleep Linked to Desire For Fatty and Sugary Foods”
Sleep Helps Process Traumatic Experiences
Summary: A new study reveals sleep could be used as an early prevention strategy against PTSD. Source: University of Zurich. If we sleep in the first 24 hours after a traumatic experience, this helps pigeonhole and process the distressing memories more effectively, as researchers from the University of Zurich and the Psychiatric University Hospital ZurichContinue reading “Sleep Helps Process Traumatic Experiences”
Neurons Paralyze Us During REM Sleep
Summary: Researchers have identified a population of neurons that appear to be responsible for muscle paralysis during REM sleep. Source: INSERM. During REM sleep, the brain inhibits the motor system, which makes the sleeper completely immobile. CNRS researchers working in the Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1/INSERM/Université Jean Monnet)Continue reading “Neurons Paralyze Us During REM Sleep”
Genetics Link Sleep Disturbances With Restless Leg Syndrome, Schizophrenia and Obesity
Summary: Researchers have identified a genetic link between a diverse array of health disorders and sleep problems. Source: Mass General. A team of American and British scientists have for the first time discovered genetic connections between sleep disturbance and a range of medical disorders including obesity. Lead author Jacqueline Lane, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at MassachusettsContinue reading “Genetics Link Sleep Disturbances With Restless Leg Syndrome, Schizophrenia and Obesity”
Oxytocin Enhances Social Affiliation in Chimps
Summary: Oxytocin enhances group affiliation and helps chimps to stand by one another against rivals, a new study reports. Source: Max Planck Institute. In violent intergroup conflicts between chimpanzee groups the hormone oxytocin enhances the social affiliation among members of the same group. The high costs of individuals going to war is perplexing. Individuals areContinue reading “Oxytocin Enhances Social Affiliation in Chimps”
Genes and the Environment Equally Affect Language Related Brain Activity
Summary: A new study reports both the environment and genetics affect brain activity related to language in the brain. Source: Osaka University. Osaka University-led researchers examine brain activity in monozygotic and dizygotic Japanese twins and show that environmental and genetic influences affect language-related brain activities in left frontal area of the brain. Language functions areContinue reading “Genes and the Environment Equally Affect Language Related Brain Activity”
Inactivity in Obese Mice Linked to Decreased Motivation to Move
Summary: Researchers link physical inactivity in obese mice to altered dopamine receptors rather than their body weight. Source: Cell Press. Starting a regular program at the gym is a common New Year’s resolution, but it’s one that most people are unable to stick with for very long. Now a study done in mice is providingContinue reading “Inactivity in Obese Mice Linked to Decreased Motivation to Move”
The Rhythm That Makes Memories Permanent
Summary: Sharp wave ripples, brain waves important for memory consolidation, are influenced by synaptic inhibition, researchers report. Source: Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Scientists at IST Austria identify mechanism that regulates rhythmic brain waves — inhibition at synapses is the key to make memories permanent. Every time we learn something new, the memory doesContinue reading “The Rhythm That Makes Memories Permanent”
Your Microbiota’s Previous Dining Experiences May Make New Diets Less Effective
Summary: People who follow a more restricted, plant based diet have more diverse gut microbiota, a new study reports. Source: Cell Press. Your microbiota may not be on your side as you try improving your diet this New Year’s. In a study published December 29 in Cell Host & Microbe, researchers explore why mice thatContinue reading “Your Microbiota’s Previous Dining Experiences May Make New Diets Less Effective”
Chemo-Brain is Pervasive in Women With Breast Cancer
Summary: A new study reports chemo-brain can affect women with breast cancer for up to six months following chemotherapy. Source: University of Rochester Medical Center. The largest study to date of a condition known as “chemo-brain” shows that women with breast cancer report it’s a substantial problem after chemotherapy for as long as six monthsContinue reading “Chemo-Brain is Pervasive in Women With Breast Cancer”
Men Who Buy Sex Have Much in Common With Sexually Coercive Men
Summary: A new study reports men who buy sex have less empathy for female prostitutes than those who don’t. Additionally, those who use prostitutes share some key characteristics with men at risk for committing sexually violent acts. Source: UCLA. Findings support decades of research by UCLA professor who co-authored study. “It’s like she’s not reallyContinue reading “Men Who Buy Sex Have Much in Common With Sexually Coercive Men”
Gambling Addiction Triggers Same Brain Area as Alcohol and Drug Cravings
Summary: Findings suggest brain networks associated with impulse control could be weakened in people with gambling addiction. Source: Imperial College London. Gambling addiction activates the same brain pathways as drug and alcohol cravings, suggests new research The study, by international scientists including researchers from Imperial College London, suggests targeting these brain pathways may lead toContinue reading “Gambling Addiction Triggers Same Brain Area as Alcohol and Drug Cravings”